About the fest
The light festival in Lyon, France, can bring light, hope, peace, and love to the Christmas season. This light festival allows you to discover the city with an artistic, new, and festive light. You can be amazed by the beautiful art installations of visual artists, lighting designers, and other video conjurors.
The blinking Christmas lights will light up the squares, streets, and facades of buildings. The light show will feature dreams, emotions, technology, and arts that can make your holidays more joyful and bright. As you visit Lyon, France, watching the festival of lights can offer you a more satisfying experience
Festival Dates (2023)
The Lyon France lights festival is celebrated yearly every December. The festival began in 1852, as the Catholic population celebrated Virgin Mary through lightning candles on the window sills. It was celebrated for religious purposes and already became a history and tradition of many families.
This year, the Lyon Festival of Lights will be held from December 7 to 10, 2023 in Lyon, France. French people and foreign travelers like you can witness the joyful, friendly, and hopeful spirit of the unique light event.
You can be surprised about the light show installations because videographers, designers, lighters, graphic artists, architects, plastic artists, and street shows companies work hard for the event.
Where It’s Located and How to Get There
The lights festival is held at the places and streets of the downtown and Old Lyon. The Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport is just more than 20 miles away from the center of Lyon city to get there. You can get to the Lyon festival of lights from the airport with a taxi or Rhone-Express tram.
If you’re not sure how to get there, you can ask the friendly local. The locals are amiable and hospitable, so you will feel at home during your visit to Lyon France, for the festival of lights. With this, you can also interact with the locals and discover the culture of the city.
If you liked this festival, you can also check out these amazing festivals as well:
Madrid Christmas Lights Festival
Festival Hours
Festival lights in Lyon, France, takes place around 7 to 11 pm. You can enjoy the lights show for free by yourself or with your loved ones. If you want to experience a night of hope on your holidays, seeing the Lyon France lights festival is the best decision.
Cost to Visit the Festival
The cost of a visit to the festival of lights at Lyon France can depend on your needs. Although most of the installations is free to the public, some light displays may require tickets. A ticket from the previous year’s edition cost about 1,73€ each. You may have expenses for your transportation, food, shopping, and more. The cost may also include your accommodation. If you’re conscious to the budget, you can prefer more affordable options in the area.
Weather and What to Wear
During the Lyon France festival of lights, the weather is colder. The average temperature at daytime is about 5-8 °C (41-46 °F), while on nighttime, the temperature can range from 0 °C (32 °F).
You may also encounter snow flow. So, make sure to wear several layers of clothing to keep yourself warm and comfortable. It is also advantageous to practice safety precautions to avoid possible problems while witnessing the beautiful exhibition of lights in the city.
5 Hotels Nearby the Lyon France Festival Of Lights
Do you want to enjoy your stay in Lyon France? Then, you need to choose the best hotel and accommodation for a comfortable stay. The following are some of the hotels where you can sleep.
Radisson Blu Hotel
This hotel can provide you with satisfying accommodation. It offers free Wi-Fi and comes with a fitness center. Their rooms are air-conditioned, come with a flat-screen TV and private bathroom. The rooms are laptop safe and have a seating area. You can relax during your stay in the hotel.
Mob Hotel Lyon Confluence
The Mob Hotel Lyon Confluence features free Wi-Fi, a coffee machine, refrigerator, separate toilet, and seating area. They also have a 24-hour front desk to accommodate your specific needs. Another unique feature of the hotel is that they have a pop up store, terrace and enjoy a delicious dining experience at the restaurant.
Campanile Lyon Centre Part-Dieu
If you want to stay in a comfortable hotel while visiting the Lyon France lights festival, the Campanile Lyon Centre Part-Dieu is a good option. They can serve you with continental breakfast. Their rooms have free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned. You can enjoy regional and French cuisines for dinner and lunch at the restaurant.
Fourviere Hotel
If you have high standards for your hotel needs, this hotel is a good choice. They have a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, sun terrace, and hammam. The rooms in the hotel come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, hardwood floors, and soundproofing.
Hotel de Normandie
The Hotel de Normandie can provide you with free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, and clean rooms. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. With that, you can stay comfortably in the hotel. In addition to their quality accommodation, you can be impressed by the nearby facilities and amenities in the area.
Recommended Restaurants
It can’t be denied that your travel will not be complete without food. If you wish to have the best experience on your visit to Lyon France, visit the nearby restaurants in the area. The following are some restaurants where you can eat delicious cuisines on your travel adventure.
Le Kitchen Cafe
At Le Kitchen Cafe, you can eat granola, fresh pastries, and fruit juice for breakfast. They also serve rich chocolate cakes with homemade chestnut liqueurs. You can also taste the restaurant’s innovative meals like shredded pork shoulder with flaky alpine tarts and pumpkin.
Aside from their quality foods, you can feel at home and relaxed with their beautiful ambiance. Their team will treat you like their family so that you can feel comfortable during your visit.
Le Bouchon des Filles
If you look for healthier meals as you visit the Lyon France festival of lights, this restaurant is a good option. They have sausages flavored and made in-house with herb butter and pistachios.
You can also try their 3-course meal with salad bowls, desserts, and cheeses. With their friendly staff and delicious foods, you can get the highest satisfaction for your dining needs.
Le Grand Cafe Des Negociants
The restaurant can serve you good food. You can taste their meringue with ice cream, chevre chaid, foie gras, and other delicious foods. They have amazing hot chocolate too. They have a friendly staff that will serve you professionally and respectfully. Their staff will ensure that you can have the best experience while eating at their restaurant.
La Bijouterie
This restaurant can offer you a luxurious dining experience. You may try their French dim sum, which is a dish of steamed lamb dumplings with siu mai and harissa with local mustard and haddock. You can also be impressed by their good customer service.
Auberge de l’lle Barbe
Another famous restaurant where you can eat during the Lyon France lights festival is the Auberge de l’lle Barbe. By visiting the restaurant, you can experience traditional and classic French cuisines.
Their menus are seasonal, but truffles and foie gras will always be served. They have a fresh and relaxing ambiance that can help you enjoy a delicious and satisfying dining experience.
More Things to Do in the Area
In addition to witnessing the beautiful Lyon France festival of lights, you can also enjoy different activities during your trip to the city. There are many things to do to make the best travel experience.
Shopping
As a traveler, for sure you want to buy cute memorabilia during your trip to Lyon France. There are many shopping areas in the city where you can purchase gift items and other products you want. With this, you can bring them home and give them to your loved ones. You can shop at La Part-Dieu, a big indoor mall where you can buy French sporting goods at an affordable cost.
Visit museums
Besides the art in the light exhibition, you can also visit museums in the city and discover great masterpieces. It can make you relax and educated you about the tradition and culture of Lyon France. One popular museum you can visit during the festival is the Confluence Museum. It is an anthropology and science museum in an attractive modern building.
Go to the park
You can also go to the park in the nearby areas if you want to unwind and relax. Taking a walk at the park allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature while breathing in the fresh air. You can take a walk at Parc de la tête d’Or, a popular park in the place. It is one of the central parks of Lyon. You can see a botanical garden and zoo there.
Enjoy other events
You can also enjoy other events during your visit to Lyon France. Aside from lighting installations, you can enjoy events like live shows, participatory events, and street illuminations that will entertain you. With this, you can have fun as you travel to the place. It can be a good way to celebrate your holidays.
Thanks for reading
If you have already arrived at a festival in Europe and have little time, you should also check out the following festivals:
Festival Of Lights Longleat – UK
Amsterdam Festival Of Lights – Netherlands
FAQ
1. What are the parking options during the Lyon Festival of Lights?
Answer: Lyon has multiple underground parking facilities throughout the city. However, due to the high influx of visitors during the Festival of Lights, parking spots might be limited. It’s advisable to use public transport, such as trams, buses, or the metro, during the festival period.
2. Is smoking permitted at the Lyon Festival of Lights?
Answer: France has regulations against smoking in enclosed public spaces. While you can smoke in open outdoor areas, visitors are urged to be considerate of others and use designated smoking areas, especially in crowded spots during the festival.
3. Can I bring my pets to the Lyon Festival of Lights?
Answer: While pets are generally allowed in many of Lyon’s public spaces, the festival can get very crowded. It might be more comfortable and safer for pets if they’re left at home. If you do decide to bring a pet, always ensure they’re on a leash.
4. How long does the Lyon Festival of Lights last?
Answer: The Lyon Festival of Lights typically spans four days in early December, with light installations and performances taking place each evening.
5. Will there be food and beverage options available during the festival?
Answer: Absolutely! Lyon, often considered the gastronomic capital of France, offers a plethora of dining options. During the festival, many restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors offer culinary delights for visitors.
6. Are there any items I should refrain from bringing to the festival?
Answer: It’s recommended not to bring large bags or backpacks due to security checks. Also, avoid any items that might be considered a security risk. It’s always a good idea to check specific guidelines provided by the festival organizers.
7. Can I capture photographs and videos during the festival?
Answer: Yes, visitors are encouraged to capture the mesmerizing light installations and performances. However, be respectful of any artists’ work and avoid using flash in crowded areas to prevent disruptions.
8. Is the festival accessible for individuals with mobility challenges?
Answer: Most of Lyon’s public areas where the festival events take place are wheelchair accessible. However, given the crowds and the historic nature of some parts of Lyon, certain areas might be challenging. It’s recommended to check in advance if attending a specific event or installation.
Sources:
https://fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/en
https://carnifest.com/lyon-festival-of-lights-fete-des-lumieres-2023/
